I'm looking for recommendations on frontend frameworks to use since I mostly handle backend development and only dive into UI when absolutely necessary. My priorities for choosing a framework are a short learning curve, ease of use, and clean code. I'm not too concerned about things like SEO or extensive custom styling options. From my limited research, Vue and Bulma stood out to me, but I'd love to hear other suggestions. For context, my backend will be Java, likely using Spring Boot.
5 Answers
Honestly, I really like Svelte. It has a gentle learning curve and is great for building interactive applications without being overwhelming. A lot of developers coming from backend find it really aligns with their workflow.
Have you checked out drop-in stylesheets? They really help me focus on the backend while managing styling with minimal effort. Some I recommend are SimpleCSS, Water.css, CosmoCSS, and Pico CSS. They do a lot of heavy lifting for you!
You might also want to consider what backend framework you’re using. If you're looking for something like Laravel, Livewire could be interesting. But since you're using Java and Spring Boot, frameworks like Svelte, which is loved by a lot of backend developers, might suit you well. It's easy to learn and works well with simpler projects!
Thanks. Backend will be Java, probably Spring Boot.
If you want something lightweight, I suggest sticking to vanilla JavaScript or something very simple like HTMX. Given the minimal interactivity needed, a full JavaScript framework might be too much.
HTMX is a new one for me, I'll look into it. Great suggestion, thanks!
If you really want a straightforward option, React is the most popular and will set you up well for future opportunities. However, Vue has a lower learning curve and feels more natural for those coming from an MVC background. Consider your long-term plans for the projects you're working on when choosing.
This is really helpful, thank you.
I would also recommend Svelte for a much easier start.
I hadn't, but I am now! These are great, thank you 🙂